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Writing and talking about the future in your job application

Back to: Tenses

Here are some tips on talking or writing about the future either in your written application or in an interview.

Talk about plans, intentions and goals

 

 

With going to + infinitive
  • I've nearly finished my bachelor's degree and I'm going to start my master's next year.
  • Are you going to offer more than one traineeship in your graduate trainee scheme?
  • I'm not going to take the job in Seattle. The work conditions aren't very good.

 

With intend to + infinitive, hope to + infinitive and plan to + infinitive. "I hope" sounds less certain than "I intend", "I plan" or "I'm going to".
  • I intend to participate in a gap year programme after finishing school.
  • I hope to start the internship in August.
  • I plan to learn as much as I can about the company's processes during the graduate trainee programme.

 
Talk about arrangements and appointments in the future

With the present continuous

 I'm taking part in an assessment centre next Tuesday.

You can often use the going to future (1) and the present continuous (2) interchangeably, particularly when you are talking about your immediate plans or appointments. Both examples here are ok, but the present continuous sounds smoother.

I'm going to start my new job in September. (1)

I'm starting my new job in September. (2)

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Talk about time-tabled events in the future

With the present simple
  • My last exam takes place on Tuesday, 6 June. After that I'm free to start the job.
  • The plane gets into Heathrow at 2 p.m.

 Talk about fixed facts, forecasts and prognoses

 

With will + infinitive
  • I'm sure I'll be very happy working in a large team.
  • Will the company pay my travel expenses?
  • We won't accept applications after the deadline.

Prognoses are often introduced by words and expressions such as "I think", "I hope", "I'm sure", "I suppose", "probably" or "maybe".
  • We'll probably short-list four candidates, but we may reduce that number.
  • Do you think you'll be able to deal with the heavy workload?

 Back to: Tenses